Canopy apparatus

ABSTRACT

A canopy for closing a gap between a gangway with a walkway and an aircraft includes a top and two side portions adapted to be movably mounted to the gangway. The forward portions of the canopy are flexible to conform to the shape of the aircraft after the walkway comes into physical engagement with the aircraft.

United States Patent Eggert, Jr.

[451 Nov. 28, 1972 [54] CANOPY APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Walter S. Eggert, Jr., H untingdon Valley, Pa. 73 Assignee: Boothe Airside Services, Inc. 22 Filed: May 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 146,337

1521 1.1.5. (:1. "l ..14/71 [51] Int. Cl 11/00 [58] Field of Search ..14/71, 72; 135/5 .[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,639,934 2/1972 Eggert 14/71 3,641,604 2/1972 Eggert ..14/71 3,121,243 2/1964 Phillips l4/7l 3,581,331 6/1971 Fisher ..l4/7l 3,484,883 12/1969 Van Marle 14/71 3,479,677 11/1969 Burns 14/71 3,099,847 8/1963 Lodjic ..14/71 3,310,823 3/1967 Preiss 14/71 3,369,264 2/ 1968 Kurka 14/71 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Harold T. Stowell, Harold R. Stowell, Albert Toclcman and Thomas J. Greer, Jr.

[ ABSTRACT A canopy for closing a gap between a gangway with a walkway and an aircraft includes a top and two side portions adapted to be movably mounted to the gangway. The forward portions of the canopy are flexible to conform to the shape of the aircraft after the walkway comes into physical engagement with the aircraft.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUnnvza m2 SHEET 1 0F 4 3.703737 INVENTOR.

WALTER S. EGGERT, JR..

ATTORNEY PATENTEDnnvza m2 sum 2 or 4 INVENTOR.

WALTER s. EGGERT,JR,

ATTORNEY PA'TENTEDuma I972 SHEET 3 [1F 4 INVENTOR.

WALTER S. EGGERT,JR.

ATTORNEY PATENTEDnnv 28 I972 SHEET L 0F 4 INVENTOR. WALTER s. E.GGERT,JR. 22 BY ATTORNEY CANOPYAPPARATUS Passenger loading and unloading gangways or ramps for airplanes are well known. For example, aloading and unloading ramp rnay include a passageway connected to an airport terminal at one end. The outer end may be adapted to engage a fuselage of an airplane. Passengers are then free to move to and from the terminal building to the airplane. Loading and unloading ramps have taken a wide variety of different forms and may be extendible or swingable about predetermined angles.

In addition to closing the gap between a ramp and an airplane, it is desirable that the canopy provide weather sealing. Such weather sealing has been provided in the past by structural units which engage the airplane when the canopy is extended. Flexibility of the structural units is required to accommodate for irregular surfaces of the airplane, which may take a wide variety of different shapes for different types of airplanes. The irregular surfaces may result from the normally convex shapes of the fuselages or from the longitudinal irregularities of the fuselages.

A type of canopy apparatus is described in a copending patent application, assigned to the same as ,signee as the present invention in an application entitled Canopy Apparatus, Ser. No. 860,882, filed Sept. 25, 1969. In general, the top member described in this co-pending application may be similar to the top member related to the present invention. Various other types of canopy apparatus involving flexible front contact members have also been used. While some of the canopy apparatus used heretofore has proven satisfactory in many respects, in other respects they have been unsatisfactory. Many canopy arrangements used heretofore have often been relatively complex with their service lives limited. Also, many of the canopy apparatus used heretofore have not included the flexibility which would make them adaptable to both large and small size aircraft. I

Many gangways used heretofore have generally included curtains resembling a bellows or other configurations with rubber cores adapted to spread out or compress in accordance with the movement of the front portion of the canopy. The general appearance and weather sealing characteristics of such curtains leave much to be desired.

It is an object of this invention to provide an im proved canopy apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved canopy apparatus for sealingly connecting a first structure to a second structure having different curved vertical and horizontal surfaces.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved canopy apparatus for closing the gap between two structures with a minimum number of parts.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved canopy apparatus for connecting two structures in which curtains associated with the canopy are maintained in a relatively flat position and are subject to minimum distortion and wear when the canopy is extended to engage an irregular surface of a structure.

In accordance with the present invention, a canopy for connecting a first main structure having a walkway to a second structure having irregular surfaces is provided.'Front and rear links pivotably connect a top member to a bottom link. The rear links may be rigid and the front links are flexible. When the canopy is movably mounted to the main body and the walkway is moved into physical engagement with the second structure, the flexible front links are flexed to conform to the shape of the second structure. Protective curtains between the various links and suitable sealing means are provided. The weight of the lower system provides tension in the frontflexible member and provides a positive sealing pressure against the aircraft.

Other objects and advantages of the present inven- I tion will be apparent and suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, from a reading of the following specification and claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1a, lb and 1c are schematic side view representations of a canopy embodying the present invention about to and engaging the surface of airplane;

FIGS. 1d and 1e illustrate a canopy embodying the present invention about to and engaging the surface of an airplane of a different shape than the one illustrated in FIGS. la, 1b and 1c:

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a canopy and a main body with a walkway, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the canopy embodying the present invention mounted to a gangway or main body;

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in cross section taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view, partly in cross section, which is the same as FIG. 4 except that the walkway is forwardly extended;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along lines 7 7 of FIG. 5, and

FIG. 8 is a view partly broken away taken along lines 88 of FIG. 4.

Referring particularly to FIG. la, a canopy 10 is mounted to a main structure 12. The main structure 12 may be an extendible ramp or gangway connected to an airport terminal, for example. FIG. la illustrates one side of the canopy 10 just prior to making physical contact with an aircraft 14. The opposite side of the canopy 10 not illustrated is substantially the same as the side illustrated. Consequently, only one side of the canopy will be described. The floor level of the aircraft 14 is illustrated by a floor 16. The main structure 12 includes a floor or walkway 18. After the canopy 10 has been moved in contact with the aircraft 14, suitable means, not illustrated, are provided to assure that the walkway 18 is maintained at the same level as the floor 16 of the aircraft.

The canopy 10 includes a top portion 20, which may be considered a top link, and a bottom link member 22. A rear rigid link 24 pivotally connects the rear top portion of the member 20 to the rear portion of the link 22. A front flexible link 26 pivotally connects the front portion of the top member 20 to the front portion of the bottom link 22. The front link 26 may include a front padding 28 which may be made of low friction flexible material.

Means are provided for vertical support for the front portion of the canopy with these means also used to control the in and out excursions of the canopy. The drive means include a bellbrank 13 which is pivotally mounted by a bracket to the front wall of the main structure 12. The vertical arm of the bellcrank includes a rod 17 affixed thereto and which extends upwardly and its extremity is pivotally connected to the side wall of the upper canopy as at pivot 19. The horizontal arm 21 of the bellcrank 13 extends rearwardly and is connected at its extremity to one end of a spring 23. The upper end of the spring is anchored to the front wall of structure 12 by bracket 25. The rear portion of upper canopy includes roller means 32 which ride on the top of the structure 12. The top of the structure 12 supports the rear portion of the top canopy member and coupled with rod 17 enables programmed forwardly and downwardly movement of the upper canopy 10 upon clockwise movement of the bellcrank means 21. While the cam surface is illustrated as a straight planar surface it is apparent that the cam means could be formed with curved surfaces or other configurations to vary the locus of movement of the upper canopy in its in-out excursions.

A cable 27 riding on a pulley 29 may normally be driven by a motor 31 to maintain the top portion retracted. Operation of the motor 31 in one direction will produce a slack in the cable 27. The slack so provided permits the top portion of the canopy 10 to be moved forward to an extended position as a result of gravity or other means. This follows because the bellcrank 13 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by means of the tension spring 23. The rod 17 fixed to the vertical arm of the bellcrank 13 supports the upper forward portion of the top of the canopy and causes it to be moved forrardly and downwardly as the rear portion of the canopy with roller 32 rides along the top of the structure 32. The foregoing operation is explained in greater detail in the aforementioned application, Ser. No. 75,035.

Because the various means relating to the upper canopy are only incidentally related to the present invention, the various elements associated therewith are only illustrated in FIGS. la, lb and 1c and not in any other figures of the drawing.

In FIG. 1b, the canopy 10 is illustrated with the bottom portion of the padding 28 in engagement with the aircraft 14. At this point, the floor 18 is just about to contact the fuselage of the aircraft 14. The bottom link 22 has been slightly moved upwardly as a result of the flexible link 26 bending slightly with the padding 28 in contact with the aircraft. The bottom link member 22 is pivoted about the bottom of the rigid link 24.

The continued forward movement of the structure 12 causes the floor 18 to physically contact the aircraft 14. At this point, the forward movement of the first structure, which could be an extendible gangway is stopped. In some cases the gangway may remain fixed with the aircraft being moved into engagement therewith. The top member 20 is then extended to roll along the top roof of the structure 12 on a roller 32 as described. As the top portion 20 continues to move forward, the member 26 and padding 28 flex to conform to the surface of the aircraft 14. As they do so, the link 22 is moved upwardly or downwardly dependent on the plane curvature about an are being pivoted about the bottom of the link 24 and flexible link 26. In FIG. 1b, the link 22 moves slightly upwardly.

FIG. 1c illustrates the canopy in its final position with respect to the aircraft 14. The bottom portion of the flexible link 26 and the padding 28 are free to move slightly upwardly as the top portion 20 engages the surface of the aircraft 14. This degree of freedom of movement enables the front portion of the canopy to provide a good seal with the aircraft 14 without change in length of the front portion. The canopy 10 is torsionally flexible and is able to conform to the convex shape of the fuselage of the aircraft. The front of the canopy is capable of assuming within limits the shapes of a wise variety of different types of aircraft. At the same time, as will be seen, the canopy 10 is capable of conforming to longitudinal irregularities on the fuselage of the airplane 14 because of the relative independent movements of the two flexible front link members as well as the relative independent movements of the two bottom link members.

The top member 20 and the bottom link 22 tend to move toward each other as the front link member 26 and its associated padding 28 conform to the convex exterior of the aircraft 14. It may be said that the straight line or linear distance between the top and bottom tips of the front link member must decrease as the member conforms to the shape of the aircraft. When curtains are associated with the side portions of the canopy 10, they will not tend to stretch or rip because of the movements of the top portion 20 and the bottom link 22 toward each other. If the angle of the movement of the top portion or the bottom link were opposite to each other, the curtains would tend to stretch and possibly rip. Because of the feature involving no stretching of the curtains, it is possible to use a relatively flat curtain. This greatly enhances the overall service life and appearance of the canopy system. Even after complete engagement with the aircraft, curtains associated with the arrangement illustrated in a canopy 10 would involve relatively slight distortions in the curtam.

Referring to FIGS. 1d and Ie, the canopy 10 is illustrated about to engage and in engagement with an aircraft 33, which is a much larger aircraft than the aircraft 14 illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1d. The curvature of the aircraft 33 is less than that of aircraft 14. As illustrated, the top portion of the flexible member 28 engages the aircraft 33 before the bottom portion.

As the canopy 10 engages the fuselage of the aircraft 33, the bottom line 22 will move downwardly about an are being pivoted on the bottoms of the flexible link 26 and link 24. The top portion of the canopy is pushed back slightly in the operation illustrated in FIGS. 1d and 1e. Thus the link 22 is free to move upwardly or downwardly about arcs dependent on the shape of the surface being contacted by the canopy.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the canopy 10 is illustrated separated from the structure 12. The canopy 10 is adapted to be movably attached to the first structure 12. AS will be described, a spring member 34 is adapted to connect the structure 12 to a bottom link 22. A similar spring arrangement, not illustrated, is associated with the link 49. When the spring is mounted, it is under tension to normally urge the canopy 10 forward with respect to the structure 12. To provide tension, the spring may be mounted in a casing including two pieces 37 and 39 movable with respect to each other. When the piece 37 is fully on the piece 39, the spring 34 is under tension. For purposes of clarity, the pieces 37 and 39 arenot illustrated in other figures of the drawing.

Llnk members 38 and 36 are adapted to be connected on one end of the bottom links 22 and 49, respectively, and to plate members 41 and 43 on the other ends. The plate members 41 and43 are secured to the bottom of the structure 12. The links 36 and 38 may involve ball socket arrangement which permit universal movements'ofthe links 22 and 49. The links connected to members 38 and 36 are free to move up and down, forward and back, and rotationally about different angles. 7

Because of the relatively small number of connecting parts, the canopy 'IOhashigh versatility and with minor modifications is adapted to be movably mounted to structure ola wide variety of different sizes and shapes. Each of the links 22 and 49 is movable independently of the other. By this is meant that one side of the canopy will contact the aircraft before the other side. This means one bottom link will remain stationary while the other one continues to move until full contact is made with the aircraft. This permits the front paddings .28, and .7 to conform to longitudinal differences in the aircraft when'the canopy is inengagement therewith.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the canopy 10 is illustrated mounted to the main structure 12. The canopy includes the top member and two side members and 42, which may'include curtains. The structure 12 includes the walkway 18 connected thereto and disposed between the side members 40 and 42. The side members include the various front and rear linkages illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 which are covered by side curtains 46 and 48. .A'front padding or cushion 44 is disposed toward the front of thetop member 20. Bumpers 47 and 28 are provided over the flexible link members, not illustrated in FIG. 3. The .curtainsj46 and 48 are connected from the edge of the top member 20 to the top of the link 22 by any suitable means. The curtains are also secured to the front bumpers 28 and 47 by any suitable means.

A pair of springs such as the spring 34 is connected to the side of the member 12 close to the end of the floor 18 at 50. The other end of the spring is connected to the link member 22 ati52..ln'the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the spring 34 is under tension. When the canopy 10 is free of the aircraft, the sides-of the canopy are normally urged forwardly of the floor 18.

Link members 36 and. 38 include a-pair of ball socket arrangements, the links 38 being connected to ball socket arrangements Sland 53, with the links 36 connested in a similar manner. The ball socket arrangements permit the canopy lower system to move forward and aft, up and down, and rotationally. At the same time, the links 36 and 38 limit lateral movement of link 22 in respect to the main structure 12.

In connection with FIGS. 4 .to 8, only one side of the canopy arrangement is illustratedyit being understood that a similar arrangement is used on the other side of the canopy.

Referring particularlyito FIGS. 4 and 5,.FIG. 4 illustrates the walkway 18 ina retracted position behind the front flexible members. FIG. 5 illustrates the same arrangement with the walkway 18 and its front pad 19 extended forward, as it would be when contacting the fuselage of any airplane.

When the walkway 18 is in a retracted position the links 36 are at slight angles as illustrated in FIG. 4. The spring 34 exerts a pressure to maintain the side portions including the front padding 28 forward of the walkway 18. After contact with the plane is made, the floor 18 is in a forward position with the padding 19 making contact with the plane, as illustrated in FIG. 5. At this point, it is seen that the links 36 have been moved at about a slight angle counterclockwise as illustrated. At the same time, the spring 34 is now elongated or stretched as illustrated in FIG. '5.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a side cross-sectional view in FIG. 6 illustrates the floor 18 in a retracted position with respect to the side pad 28. FIG. '7 illustrates the floor 18 and its front pad 19 in a forward position as it would be when making contact with a plane. It is noted that after contact with the plane is made, the link 22 is rotated about a slight angle as illus trated in FIG. 7. A hinge 55 connects the link 22 to the bottom portion of the front flexible link 26 to permit angular movement therebetween. A similar hinge arrangement, not illustrated, connects the top portion of the canopy to the top portion of the flexible link 26.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8, the links 36, only one of which is shown, are mounted on one end of a ball joint 51 which is connected to the bottom portion beneath the floor 18. The other end of the link 36.is connected to a ball joint 53 which is connected to the link member 22. The link 36 is adapted to follow within limits the link .22 and disposedto move up, down, forwardly, rearwardly and, to some degree, rotationally.

The overall arrangements including the ball joint arrangements for the links 36 and'the spring arrangement including the link 22 make it possible for the front portion of the canopy 10 to conform with the irregularities of the fuselage of a plane. Not only are the side members of the canopy capable of conforming to the vertical irregularities of the fuselage but they are also capable of conforming to the longitudinal irregularities of the aircraft.

Because of the universal movement of the front portions of a canopy, good weather sealing is achieved between the canopyand'the aircraft. While the structure 12 has been illustrated as being relatively fixed, it is understood, of course, that the structure may include part of a gangway which could be extended or retracted. Regardless of the possiblemovability of the gangway, efinal positioning to fill the gap between thestructure l2 and the aircraft is accomplished by means of the canopy 10 illustrated.

The canopy 10 has provided a relatively simple arrangement which is adapted to fit over structures of various sizes and shapes. At the same time, the attachment arrangement is accomplished with a relatively small number of parts.

What is claimed is:

1. A canopy for enclosing a walkway of a first structure when the walkway is in engagement with a second structure having a top surface, said canopy comprising a roof member having first and second end sections, first and second longitudinal bottom link members, a first pair of side link members pivotally connected between said first end section of said roof member and said first longitudinal bottom link member, a second pair of side link members pivotally connected between said second end section of said roof member and said second longitudinal bottom link member, said first and second pairs of side link members each having a flexible front link member and a rear link member, pivotablc means connected between said roof member and said first structure movably mounting said canopy to said first structure, means normally maintaining said roof member in a retracted position, means releasing said roof member to permit it to be moved to an extended position, biasing means urging said bottom link members forwardly of said walkway, and said bottom link members being movable to enable said front flexible link members to conform to the shape of said second structure when said walkway contacts said second structure.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the linear distances between the ends of said front flexible link members decrease as said front flexible link members conform to the shape of said second structure.

3. Canopy apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises a pair of tension springs connected between said pair of bottom link members and said first structure.

4. Canopy apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein roller means are connected to said roof member and disposed to ride on said top surface of said first structure when said roof member is extended or retracted.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein a first pair of pivotal additional link members are connected between said first bottom link member and said first structure and a second pair of pivotal additional link members are connected between said second bottom link member and said first structure.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the ends of said first and second pairs of additional link members include ball elements for connection to sockets on said pair of bottom link members and said first structure. 

1. A canopy for enclosing a walkway of a first structure when the walkway is in engagement with a second structure having a top surface, said canopy comprising a roof member having first and second end sections, first and second longitudinal bottom link members, a first pair of side link members pivotally connected between said first end section of said roof member and said first longitudinal bottom link member, a second pair of side link members pivotally connected between said second end section of said roof member and said second longitudinal bottom link member, said first and second pairs of side link members each having a flexible front link member and a rear link member, pivotable means connected between said roof member and said first structure movably mounting said canopy to said first structure, means normally maintaining said roof member in a retracted position, means releasing said roof member to permit it to be moved to an extended position, biasing means urging said bottom link members forwardly of said walkway, and said bottom link members being movable to enable said front flexible link members to conform to the shape of said second structure when said walkway contacts said second structure.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the linear distances between the ends of said front flexible link members decrease as said front flexible link members conform to the shape of said second structure.
 3. Canopy apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said biasing means comprises a pair of tension springs connected between said pair of bottom link members and said first structure.
 4. Canopy apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein roller means are connected to said roof member and disposed to ride on said top surface of said first structure when said roof member is extended or retracted.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein a first pair of pivotal additional link members are connected between said first bottom link member and said first structure and a second pair of pivotal additional link members are connected between said second bottom link member and said first structure.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the ends of said first and second pairs of additional link members include ball elements for connection to sockets on said pair of bottom link members and said first structure. 